Fears Putin could be replaced by ex-KGB spy ‘involved in poison plot’ after facing backlash from Moscow over Ukraine war

VLADIMIR Putin could be replaced by a ruthless ex-KGB agent accused of having a hand in the death of a spy on British soil if the Russian leader is toppled. Members of Putin’s inner circle are said to be plotting to oust the brutal dictator and install 70-year-old spymaster Alexander Bortnikov in his place. Getty - ContributorRussian FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has been tipped to replace Vladimir Putin[/caption] ReutersVladimir Putin and Alexander Bortnikov (right)[/caption] FSB website / east2west newsBortnikov is a former KGB officer and currently the head of Russia’s FSB[/caption] The Ukrainian intelligence service claims to have uncovered a plot from a small band of Putin’s closest aides to dethrone the president. The powerful insiders are said to be dismayed at the ramifications of the war and the sanctions imposed on the Russian economy. And the plotters are reportedly considering all options to wipe out Putin – including poisoning him or faking an accident. If Putin is successfully toppled, his former sidekick Bortnikov, who has been sanctioned by the US, is reportedly in pole position to replace him. Read more on the Ukraine war BIDEN WARNS Live Ukraine updates as Putin's 'back is against the wall' HEAVY LOSSES Russia says 10K killed in Ukraine as pro-Kremlin paper leaks true cost of war Ukrainian intelligence said Putin’s inner circle have picked the spymaster as they feel he could restore economic ties with the West. “Their goal is to remove Putin from power as soon as possible and restore economic ties with the West, destroyed due to the war in Ukraine,” the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said. “It is known that Bortnikov and some other influential representatives of the Russian elite are considering various options to remove Putin from power. “In particular, poisoning, sudden disease, or any other ‘coincidence’ is not excluded.” Most read in News BOMB BLITZ Moment Russian ballistic missile blows up shopping centre killing 8 civilians FINAL MOMENTS Pilots 'may have PASSED OUT in 350mph death dive' before battling to save jet SHOCK FIND Missing man found dead in FREEZER at abandoned pub 10 years after disappearing GRAVE ROW UK’s biggest headstone for ‘traveller king’ Big Willy may be torn down amid fury MAD VLAD I taught Putin body language tricks, now he's threatening to destroy us all HORROR SALVO Russia fires vacuum bombs on besieged Mariupol as civilians refuse to give up Bortnikov is the current director of Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB – and regarded as an influential member of Putin’s inner circle. Like Putin, Bortnikov is a former officer of the KGB and reportedly first met Putin while the pair were stationed together in Leningrad – now Saint Petersburg – in the 1970s. He is one of a small handful of people to earn the rank of Army General. And in 2006, it was claimed that Bortnikov had been involved in the operation to assassinate Alexander Litvinenko. Former spy Litvinenko had defected to the UK, where he worked to expose the corrupt practices of the Kremlin before he was poisoned with polonium. It’s thought the relationship between Putin and Bortnikov has become strained – with the spymaster blamed for allowing his military commanders to be overwhelmed by the fierce Ukrainian defence. Russian security council deputy head Dmitry Medvedev has already sacked FSB deputy Vyacheslav Ushakov over bungles in intelligence that led to the invasion. According to the Mirror, one Ukrainian intelligence source recently said: “It is noteworthy that Bortnikov has recently been disgraced by the Russian dictator. “The official reason for the disgrace of the FSB leader – fatal miscalculations in the war against Ukraine. “Bortnikov and his department were responsible for analysing the mood of Ukraine and the ability of the Ukrainian army.” It’s not the first time members of Putin’s closest team have been tipped to challenge the Russian president’s regime. According to Steven L. Hall, a former Russian CIA intelligence lead, the military elite pose a “real threat” to the President. “Men like Patrushev and Bortnikov not only possess hard power, but they know how to use it and are inclined to do so,” he told The Washington Post. They know how to operate under Putin’s radar, because they are the ones in charge of the radar itself Steven L. HallFormer Russian CIA intelligence lead “The siloviki are willing to use this deadly mixture of hard power and secrecy when a serious threat to the Russian kleptocratic system emerges.” Russian siloviki translates to “people of force” or “strong men” – the term given to former military personnel who are now in political positions.  Mr Hall added: “They have weapons and the personnel to threaten Putin. “They know how to operate under Putin’s radar, because they are the ones in charge of the radar itself. “And while it is reasonable to assume Putin has some means to monitor the siloviki, he will not be able to follow their actions constantly and with great precision, given all the other issues on his plate.” Russia’s almost month-old assault on Ukraine has stalled along many fronts, failing to seize any major city or topple the government. But Ukraine’s military has warned of more indiscriminate Russian shelling of critical infrastructure. Russian artillery continues to pound the eastern cities of Kharkhiv, Sumy and Chernihiv, and in the capital Kyiv, shells blasted a shopping centre on Sunday evening, killing at least eight people. The southern port city of Mariupol has become a focal point of Russia’s horror assault and is largely in ruins with bodies in the streets. Russian forces are expected to continue to attack critical infrastructure with “high-precision weapons and indiscriminate munitions”, Ukraine’s armed forces said in a statement. And Joe Biden said Russia’s false accusations that Ukraine had biological and chemical weapons showed that Putin’s “back was against the wall” and he was considering using such weapons. Read More on The Sun HORROR SALVO Russia fires vacuum bombs on besieged Mariupol as civilians refuse to give up WAG'S PAIN I had mansion, clothes & dream wedding but I was suffering, says ex-Man Utd WAG “Now he’s talking about new false flags he’s setting up including, asserting that we in America have biological as well as chemical weapons in Europe, simply not true,” the US president said. “They are also suggesting that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. That’s a clear sign he’s considering using both of those.” EPAPutin with former spymaster Bortnikov (second right)[/caption] EyevineAlexander Bortnikov addresses the Russian National Security council[/caption]